A dozen Christians who converted to Islam but later returned to Christianity awaited new identity papers Tuesday, February 12, following what judicial sources described as a "historic decision" by Cairo's highest civil court.The court ruled Saturday, February 9, that the 12, who were born Christian Copts, could mark "Christian" on their compulsory identity cards, in place of the "Muslim” mention which was used after their conversion. It overturned an April 2007 ruling by a lower court forbidding them to convert to Christianity on grounds it would be "apostasy".

• Egypt Recognizes Christian Converts In Historic Ruling

Theological Category

• Church & State
• Martyrs, Persecution, Discrimination